Residents concerned about high speeds on county road go to sheriff's office.

Following complaints about high school students speeding as they leave Columbia High School, the Klickitat County Sheriff's Office plans to heighten patrols around the school.

Based on the complaints of several residents of the area, students often speed along Simmons Road, creating a potential dangerous situation for residents.

"Apparently high school kids are speeding out of the parking lot. It's bad driving habits that are concerning the residents there," explained Klickitat County Sheriff Chris Mace.

Several residents who live along the street called Klickitat County Commissioner Don Struck to ask for his help in getting traffic under better control.

"It's a straight stretch of road there. Kids are using that road as a racetrack, and residents are concerned for their safety," Struck said. "I spoke to the sheriff about having a deputy out there to watch traffic, and asked the county Road Department to consider speed bumps or signage."

Struck added that the speed limit in residential areas is usually 25 miles per hour.

"People are going too fast, so we'll try to emphasize that area with unmarked cars up around the high school," said Mace. "We need to make sure the kids driving are safe, kids walking are safe, and the residents are safe. We've had a few complaints."

Mace said deputies have gotten similar complaints in the past, and have issued citations to try to control the speeding.

"We have to go up there once a month and issue nasty tickets, then they behave for awhile," Mace explained. "Then we have to go back again. But we need to make sure people can walk up and down that road and not have a problem."